Sino-African strategic partnership promising

(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-10-24 05:51

Q: What is on the agenda of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation? What new measures will China announce at the Summit to grow its relations with Africa? And what is the significance of this Summit to the growth of China-Africa relations?

A: The Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) was founded by China and Africa in 2000. It has become an effective mechanism and important platform for enhancing China-Africa collective dialogue and co-operation in practical terms in the new era. The theme of this Summit is "Friendship, Peace, Co-operation and Development." During the Summit, the Chinese and African leaders will review the friendship and co-operation of the past 50 years between the two sides and the progress achieved since FOCAC's establishment six years ago. They will also reaffirm the forging of a new-type of strategic partnership between China and Africa, map out the future for sustaining bilateral co-operation and exchange views on major regional and international issues.

A key focus of the Summit is to upgrade the mutually beneficial co-operation between China and Africa and inject new vigour into their friendship. During the Summit, China will announce important proposals and initiatives on strengthening its relations with Africa, as well as specific measures to help African countries speed up their development. They are also designed to implement the five measures announced by China to assist other developing countries.

I am convinced that the successful convocation of the Summit will enhance the friendship between the Chinese and African leaders, and promote the comprehensive growth of China-Africa friendship and co-operation in greater depth and width and lift them to a higher level. It will enhance the solidarity of developing countries and South-South co-operation and contribute to the glorious cause of global peace and development. The Summit will highlight the in-depth growth of and progress towards maturity in China-Africa relations and become a new landmark in the annals of China-Africa friendship.

Q: Some people are fanning up the "China threat" in Africa. There are also people in Africa who fear that Chinese commodities would float the African market and cause unemployment. What is your view on this issue? What benefits will China's development bring to Africa?

A: China and African countries are all-weather friends, partners of sincere co-operation and good brothers. China wishes Africa well. It is committed to helping Africa and hopes to see Africa grow and become stronger. The economic co-operation and trade between China and Africa are mutually beneficial. China's development has created more development opportunities for Africa. The allegations you referred to are unfounded as far as history is concerned, and they distort the current relations between China and Africa.

First, China's development has created a growing export market for Africa. In recent years, China's foreign trade has increased rapidly, and so have its imports from Africa. In 2005, China-Africa trade volume reached US$39.8 billion. It included US$21.1 billion in imports from Africa, which exceeded China's exports to Africa.

Second, China's development has created more job opportunities for Africa. The Chinese Government encourages established and reputable Chinese companies to make investment in diversified forms in Africa. According to preliminary statistics, China's total investment in Africa has reached US$6.27 billion. China has launched over 800 non-financial investment projects in 49 African countries, covering trade, manufacturing and processing, resource development, communications and agriculture. China will develop new forms of co-operation, expand the scale of investment, upgrade co-operation and provide quality service to promote common development of both China and Africa.

Third, China has endeavored to provide sincere assistance to Africa. Up to now, over 720 major projects have been completed in 49 African countries with Chinese assistance, and 58 projects have been launched in 26 African countries with preferential loans from China. China has exempted 10.9 billion yuan (US$1.34 billion) in debts of 31 heavily indebted poor countries and least developed countries in Africa, and extends zero-tariff treatment to some imports from 28 least developed countries in Africa. China has also trained over 14,600 African personnel in various fields.

It is hardly avoidable that some problems may occur in the process of continuous expansion of China-Africa co-operation. These problems are limited in nature and can be resolved through co-operation and consultation in accordance with the principles of equality and mutual accommodation. China appreciates the concern of some African countries on the trade deficit and textiles and is taking measures and working with the African countries concerned to resolve them.

I also wish to point out that China-Africa co-operation is transparent, open and inclusive by nature. It will not affect the co-operation of China or African countries with a third party, nor will it hurt the interests of any third party. Quite on the contrary, strengthened China-Africa co-operation and common development will only bring good opportunities for the rest of the world.

Q: What does future hold for China-Africa relations?

A: The traditional China-Africa friendship is of great value to both sides. China is the biggest developing country and Africa has the largest number of developing countries. In the new era, the common interests between the two sides are increasing rather than decreasing, and the potential for co-operation is expanding rather than diminishing. Boosting China-Africa friendship and all-round co-operation is a long-term and strategic decision China has made, and it is a natural choice for the two sides in pursuit of common development and prosperity. Strengthened consultation and closer co-operation between the two sides will uphold the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and advance democracy in international relations. I am convinced that, with the concerted efforts of China and Africa, we will surely make a greater contribution to the building of a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.

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